𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐊𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐢𝐫 𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐰𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲

Pulwama, May 21: Amid an intense heatwave sweeping across the Kashmir Valley, the Chief Education Officers (CEOs) of Shopian and Pulwama districts have issued directives to all government and private schools, urging them to adopt precautionary measures to safeguard students’ health and well-being.

The advisory stresses strict adherence to heat-related safety protocols issued by authorities. CEO Shopian, Shabir Ahmad, told Rising Kashmir that school assemblies must now be held in shaded areas to reduce students’ exposure to direct sunlight. He added that all physical activities during assemblies are suspended, and their duration should be kept short until weather conditions improve.

A similar circular from CEO Pulwama echoes these instructions, warning that non-compliance will be taken seriously.

Officials emphasized that these guidelines are essential to prevent heat-related illnesses, especially dehydration in younger students.

Meanwhile, several parents from South Kashmir have raised concerns about the lack of safe drinking water and adequate cooling facilities in schools. Mushtaq Ahmad, a resident of Kakapora, pointed out that many schools rely on tap or tube well water, which is often unfit for drinking. He said his daughter’s private school, despite charging high fees, lacks water purifiers and cooling systems.

“Even where purifiers are installed, they are not sufficient for hundreds of students,” he added.

Parents have also urged the education department to shift school timings to morning hours to help children better cope with the extreme weather. “Our children can’t focus or stay energetic in such heat. Morning classes are necessary,” said Manzoor Ahmad, another parent.